JUNE 26.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1503

25. Elastic Stockings and Bandages, Suspensory or Other.—Where required for varicose veins, these shall be supplied or replaced only if the condition of the veins did not exist prior to enlistment and has been aggravated by service; or if, having been recommended operation by competent surgical authority, the member has not refused to undergo such operation.

Where these articles are required for other conditions than varicose veins, the question of supply shall depend upon the attributability to or aggravation by military service of the condition for which the supply is applied for.

26. Knee-caps.—Supply or replacement of this article shall not be made if the condition for which supply is required existed prior to enlistment.

27. Lenses.—These shall be supplied only if the condition for which they are required is the result of a disability due to or aggravated by military service. Simple errors of refraction and presbyopia cannot be regarded as due to service.

28. Splints.—The supply and replacement of splints and similar appliances shall be made if the condition for which the splint or other appliance is required is the result of or aggravated by military service.

29. Surgical Boots.—These shall be supplied and replaced when required for disabilities due to or aggravated by service. When only slight alteration to an ordinary boot is required—e.g., attachment of a caliper or raising of one side of sole, these alterations shall be made to the patient’s own boots, and boots will not be supplied.

A member entitled to the issue of surgical boots on account of the disability for which he is in receipt of war pension is required to be in possession of two pairs of boots, so that one pair may be available should the other require repair, get wet, or for any other reason not be available.

A Registrar of Pensions before authorizing another issue of boots shall satisfy himself by inspection that the pair for which replacement is asked is actually no longer serviceable or capable of repair.

30. Wheeled Chairs.—A member who has lost both lower limbs as the result of military service shall be supplied with a wheeled chair which will be repaired if it is certified by a medical officer that the repair is necessitated by fair wear-and-tear.

Spinal carriages shall be supplied and repaired under the same conditions when the supply is approved by the Medical Administrator of Pensions.

31. Sputum-flasks.—One sputum-flask shall be supplied to each “service” patient suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis whose condition may require this issue. These flasks will not be replaced if lost or broken.

32. Where the supply, renewal, or repair of surgical appliances is required, the applicant shall communicate with the Registrar of Pensions of the Medical District in which he resides, who, if in doubt whether the applicant is entitled to the supply, shall refer the application with full particulars to the Medical Administrator of Pensions at Wellington.

In all cases of renewal and repair it must be shown that the loss of or damage to the previous issue arose through circumstances beyond the control of the applicant.

Condemned artificial limbs and other unserviceable appliances shall be returned to the Officer in Charge, Artificial Limb Factory, Wakefield Street, Wellington.

MEDICAL FEES.

33. The following fees shall be payable to medical practitioners:—
    (a.) For completion of form of application for medical treatment as a service patient on form Med. B. £ s. d.
    0 7 6
    (Payable only if the disability for which application is made is considered a liability of the Department and no fee payable for the preparation of this form by a full-time medical officer of a public institution.)
    (b.) For consultation in surgery .. .. .. 0 7 6
    (Payable only when previously authorized by the Department.)
    (c.) For visit to patient within a radius of two miles of the medical practitioner’s residence between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. .. .. .. 0 10 6